Miracle Sand Mother Primary Shrine – Sokkankudiyiruppu

Contact Details:

Miracle Sand Mother Primary Shrine
Sokkankudiyiruppu
Sokkankudiyiruppu (5 km from village, on seashore), Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu.
Parish Priest – Fr. Michael Jegadish.
Church Established – 1798.

Brief History:

According to tradition, a shepherd discovered the buried church after the Virgin Mary appeared to him in a dream, instructing him to excavate at a specific location. The shrine had been buried under sand following the martyrdom of a Christian woman named Jesumariayai, who was unjustly executed in 1798. Upon excavation, a miraculous statue of Mary carved from sandalwood and ivory was found intact, leading to the shrine becoming known for numerous miracles performed through Mary’s intercession. A 10-day feast is celebrated each September. The shrine is an important pilgrimage destination in the Diocese of Tuticorin.